Friday, April 29, 2011

All This and World War II is a 1976 musical documentary that juxtaposes Beatles songs, performed by a number of musicians, with World War II newsreel footage and 20th Century Fox films from the 1940s. It lasted a week in movie theaters and was quickly sent into storage, although it did play a midnight show at Landmark's Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles in June 2007.

After Terry Gilliam turned down the offer to direct this documentary, 20th Century Fox turned to Susan Winslow. She had previously participated as a researcher in the crew that produced Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (directed by Philippe Mora) which married 30s newsreel and mostly Warner Bros. movie footage to gramophone songs of the period.

The original intention of the filmmakers was to use actual Beatles music in the film. The decision to use other artists covering Beatles music was made by the film's producers after they realized additional money could be made through a soundtrack album. The decision was a sound one, as the soundtrack actually generated more revenue than the film.

The film was made only six years after the Beatles had split up.

The film has never been released on home video or DVD, but bootleg copies of the film are available from several collector-to-collector resources.

"Strawberry Fields Forever" was the first solo recording by Peter Gabriel to be released after his departure from the band Genesis.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

It has been fifty years since John, Paul, and George named themselves the Beatles and soon after recruited Ringo Starr. The Beatles: Fifty Fabulous Years includes fascinating and little-known stories, never-before-published photographs, and nostalgic memorabilia.

The Beatles: Fifty Fabulous Years is an interactive e-reading product that captures John, Paul, George, and Ringo like never before. Released for the Amazon Kindle App and Kindle Store, the product features fascinating and rare clips, little-known stories, amazing interviews, and photographs. The pandemonium of Beatlemania is brought to life, from madcap movies, interviews with each of the Fab Four, and footage of delirious fans.

A complimentary documentary, "The Beatles: The Golden Age," is woven throughout the vook's narrative and captures the pandemonium of Beatlemania, from their delirious fans and madcap movies to interviews with each of the Fab Four.